Passport for Minor: Requirements for Children under age of 17 to Apply for US Passports

Gathering required documents for New U.S. Passport for children 15 and under

• Place order for Child Passport
  Expediting appointments are very limited. We are processing applications based on when we receive the documents and the dates of travel. To ensure your passport is ready on time, please place the order and forward your documents to us as soon as possible.
  
  If you are traveling within next two weeks you should select a 5-7 business days processing option and contact our office to reserve your spot to expedite your passport application.
  

  Place order for Child Passport
• Child passport application DS-11 online
  Important instructions:
  

  • Click on "Submit" under "Complete Form Online" column, complete all required fields and print out two copies of the application. Do not sign the application forms.
  • The original form must be signed in front of the acceptance agent. The second form should be sent unsigned to VisaHQ outside of the sealed envelope.
    The DS-11 form must be completed online, applications without a barcode in the top left will not be accepted.
  • Click here to find your nearest acceptance facility
  • Please be aware that most U.S Post Offices and public libraries require an appointment to execute a sealed envelope with the documents, you may need to verify with your local agency if they seal passport documents and set an appoint for the earliest available time.
  • Please ensure that the executed sealed envelope is further placed in a separate mailing envelope so as not to get damaged or opened by an unauthorized agent in error.

  DS-11 online
• Acceptance facility visit

  Step 1. Locate the nearest Passport Acceptance Facility

  Parents must inform the Agent that you are using a passport agency to expedite the processing and that the sealed documents will be hand-delivered to the Department of State. This Department of State policy is called "Hand Carrying of Executed Applications". The policy is detailed on pages 31 and 44 of the acceptance agent Manual.
  
  The acceptance agent should write the child's name, departure date, and the date of birth on the outside of the sealed envelope. If two or more applications are sealed in the same envelope, please make sure that the information about all applicants is written on the envelope.
  
  The acceptance agent will return the sealed envelope to you. Do not open the envelope. Mail the sealed envelope along with remaining paperwork to VisaHQ for the processing of your child’s new passport.
  
  IMPORTANT: All minors must appear in person and must be accompanied by BOTH PARENTS or legal guardians with acceptable proof of ID. If only one of the parents is present, he or she must bring a Statement of Consent ( Form DS-3053 ) signed and notarized by the other parent, executed within 3 months of the application date. A single parent must bring the original evidence of sole legal custody.
  

  Form DS-3053

  Locate via US Department of State

  Step 2. Collaborate with the Acceptance Agent to be authorized.
  Agent should:

  • Confirm parent’s relationship to the applying child
  • Witness the signing of the application by parents on behalf of the child
  • Collect a $35 execution fee
  • Check parent’s ID
  • Verify the documents and seal them into an envelope

  Step 3. Provide the Agent with the Docs Required to be handled and sealed.
  Check the list below.
• Letter of Authorization
  Please download, sign and print 2 copies of the Letter of Authorization. Include 1 copy in the sealed envelope and send the 2nd copy to the office outside the sealed envelope

  Letter of Authorization
• Two (2) passport photos
  Photos must be identical, taken within the past 6 months, 2x2 inches, and not from a vending machine.
  Starting November 1, 2016, eye glasses will no longer be allowed in passport photos.
  
  More on passport photo requirements.
• Proof of U.S. citizenship of the child
  - Old (undamaged) passport or
  - Original Birth Certificate (if born in the United States) or
  - Original naturalization certificate
  
  Read more on proof of U.S. citizenship.
  Note: All originals will be returned to you with newly issued child’s passport. Make sure to also include any old passport the child was issued.
• Proof of Relationship to the minor applicant
  - Original U.S. birth certificate listing parents' names; or
  - Certified Foreign Birth Certificate listing parents' names and translation; or
  - Consular Report of Birth Abroad (Form FS-240) with parents' names listed; or
  - Certification of Birth Abroad (Form DS-1350) with parents' names listed; or
  - Adoption Decree listing adopting parents' names; or
  - Court Order Establishing Custody or Guardianship.
• Proof of Identity for parent(s) or guardian(s)
  - A copy of a valid driver's license or state issued I.D, issued more than 6 months ago, or
  - U.S. passport (mutilated, altered, or damaged passports are not acceptable as proof of identity), or
  - Government  or military ID (must be current).
  
  Note: Copies of both parents' IDs must be included with the documents. If you have changed your legal name you will need to provide a Certified Copy of either a Marriage Certificate or a Name Change Court Decree.
  
  Read more on Proof Of Identity.
• Extra copies of documents
  Please send us an extra copy of the following documents outside of the sealed envelope
  - Application
  - Letter of Authorization
  
  - Itinerary
  - Photo
  - Proof of ID/ citizenship
  - Proof of Relationship to the minor applicant and Proof of Identity for parent(s) or guardian(s)
  
• Travel itinerary
  - Copy of a plane ticket to a foreign country, or
  - Copy of a travel itinerary with the applicant's name showing dates and flight information
  
  For 4-7 business days and 7-10 business days passport service, a reservation is required. Travel dates must be within 14 days from date of reservation. If you also need a visa after your passport service, your travel date should be 30days from your date of reservation.
• Government Fees
  Certified Check or Money Order payable to the
  "U.S. Department of State"
  
  - for $181.36 (minors - 15 and under)